Company helping file claims after BP oil spill

Local businesses and individuals are still feeling the sting of the oil spill. It's been a year since the Gulf Coast Claims Facility started handling all the claims. We found one company offering to help victims file the paperwork.

Officials with National Hardship Solutions were at Nervous Nellie's on Fort Myers Beach Friday offering to help those who lost money after last summer's BP oil spill.

"If you were working during the spill and you made money before the spill and a lot less after because of a lack of tourism, then you're entitled to file a claim," said James Belliveau, with National Hardship Solutions.

He started the company in January. For a 25-percent cut, he and 10 employees will file the paperwork for you with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.

"We handle all the paperwork. We do it on a non-attorney representation basis, and we deal with GCCF on their behalf," said Belliveau.

Staff members at Nervous Nellie's brought in their tax forms and W-2s for the help.

Fermin Renova is the bartender there. He says the oil spill hit his take-home pay hard.

"Not knowing whether you were going to make money the next day or whether you were going to have a shift the next day," Renova said.

Hostess Hali B says she tried to file, but ran into problems using another woman's computer.

"I don't own a computer, and I'm not really - I'd rather have somebody professional," she said.

So far, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility has paid over $2-billion to Florida claimants and those claims are still being filed.

"It's helping people," Belliveau said.

Belliveau says he can help file claims because he says he has 10-years experience in the insurance industry.

"It's just a matter of studying a lot and finding out what they want to see and getting it submitted correctly," he said.

But we found he spent nine months in the Jackson Correctional Institution for DUI and exploiting the elderly.

But he reassures us that's not related to National Hardship Solution's work.

"Just in case anybody is a little bit concerned about the check going to National Hardship Solutions and are worried about getting the money, it cannot be - nothing can be done with that check unless it is endorsed and cashed by the claimant," he said.

With or without help, oil spill victims still have time to file a claim.